“Thou shalt not commit adultery” is the 7^th commandment of the Ten Commandments. This commandment is given by God to help preserve marriage, which is designed and sanctified by God to be a holy union between a man and a woman, so as to keep it pure and unbroken. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hence, sex is to be confined within marriage, between a man and his wife. If committed outside of marriage, it is adultery and a sin against God.

Adultery or sexual sin is very common and prevalent today. It is also a very grievous sin because it is a sin that is committed with the flesh and it involves two persons. Sexual sin includes fornication and pornography. Anyone, regardless of age or gender can succumb to it. It is not just the act of it that is sinful, but the thought or the intent of committing adultery is sin in the eyes of God. The Lord Jesus Christ warned us in Matthew 5:27-28, that even when one lusts after a woman in his mind, he has already committed adultery and has sinned against God without even having to physically commit the act itself.

We must therefore guard our hearts from lustful thoughts because a moment of pleasure will result in severe consequences. King David, a man after God’s own heart, lusted after Bathsheba and committed adultery with her. It further caused him to commit the sin of murder when he plotted to have her husband, Uriah, killed in the battlefield. David repented and sought forgiveness from God. Though he repented, he still had to face the grievous consequences of his sins throughout the remaining years of his life which affected his entire family.

Joseph too faced a similar temptation to sin with Potiphar’s wife, but he chose to flee instead of succumbing to it. Thus he did not sin against God. But he was framed and imprisoned. However, God blessed Joseph by raising him to a high position in Egypt according to His will. And God used him in later years to preserve the lives of the children of Israel when famine came.

Thus, we must learn from the examples above and guard our hearts against sexual sins and lust. We must always fill our minds with godly thoughts (Phil 4:8) and not let lustful, evil thoughts take root in our hearts. We must flee from temptations and not let worldly influences stumble us or cause us to fall. When we sin, we must repent immediately so that our relationship and walk with God can be restored. May God help us.